The Mackenzie King Estate is a precious Canadian legacy. This 231-hectare country estate belonged to Canada’s 10th and longest-serving prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. When he died, King bequeathed his beloved estate to all Canadians. It now forms part of Gatineau Park, Canada’s Capital conservation park, which is managed by the National Capital Commission (NCC).Supplied by National Capital Commission

While visiting the Mackenzie King Estate, chat with knowledgeable guides on-site in the museums and on the grounds and step back in time with a self-guided visit of the interactive exhibits.Supplied by National Capital Commission

You can marvel at the beautiful ruins, an unique a collection of picturesque ruins from Canada and abroad. The Estate’s ruins include stones from the original Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottawa (which burned down in 1916) and from Westminster Palace in England.Supplied by National Capital Commission

The newly renovated Mackenzie King Café and Tearoom, overlooking the veranda, offers a full menu as well as light snacks (table service or take-out counter). Reserve a table for the Afternoon Tea, served daily between 2-5 pm.Supplied by National Capital Commission

Every year, special events are being held at the Estate for the Civic Day and Labour day long weekends with lots of free activities for the whole family.Supplied by National Capital Commission

Featuring a range of designs, the garden includes a traditional, symmetrical French garden, English-style perennial borders ornamented by architectural ruins and a rock garden.Supplied by National Capital Commission

Play, create and explore! Join a friendly guide at the Kingswood garage for crafts, games and activities from Mackenzie King’s era. Weekends, July and August.Supplied by National Capital Commission

Through the woods by the Mackenzie King Estate, you’ll find three kilometres of trails dedicated to hiking. Sights include the Bridal Veil Falls at the end of the Waterfall trail and the Lauriault trail lookout. These trails are open year-round to hikers.Supplied by National Capital Commission

“The Haunted Walk Experience” stops at the Mackenzie King Estate this summer. On this 90-minute guided walk, you will learn more about King’s passion for spiritualism and the supernatural, and hear some favourite ghost stories about the Estate.Supplied by National Capital Commission

The Mackenzie King Estate is also an official site of Canada’s Garden Route Contest.Supplied by National Capital Commission

At the beautiful Mackenzie King Estate, visitors can learn about the historic site, but they can also use the grounds in the same way that Canada’s 10th prime minister did.

“Come relax, reflect, and experience the outdoors,” said Allison Eagen, program officer for the Mackenzie King Estate. “It’s steeped in history but there’s a recreational aspect as well.”

Former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King had a passion for horticulture, landscaping, romantic gardens and architectural ruins. After spending almost 50 years (1903–1950) beautifying and expanding his property, he bequeathed his beloved estate to all Canadians after his death.

Although the Mackenzie King Estate is only a 15-minute drive from Parliament Hill, it is located in the heart of Gatineau Park, a national conservation park managed by the National Capital Commission.

“We want contemporary visitors to come and discover or re-discover this beautiful place,” said Eagen. “There are still the history and period rooms, but new things are happening on the site all the time. We now have interpretation panels around the whole site. The new elements help to enhance the back in time feeling. You can sit on a carriage and feel as if you’ve travelled back in time.”

Visitors can examine the restored cottages, stroll through the gardens, photograph the collection of ruins, enjoy a light meal at the Mackenzie King Café and Tearoom, chat with knowledgeable guides in the museums and on the grounds, picnic on the scenic grounds, and go for a hike.

A few years ago, the Estate underwent an extensive renewal, featuring new exhibits as well as activities for the whole family. The restored cottages are now universally accessible, and the renewed exhibit now includes sound effects, a video and interactive props.

The Estate boasts beautiful gardens and a scattering of picturesque ruins. Featuring a range of designs, the gardens include a traditional, symmetrical French garden, English-style perennial borders ornamented by architectural ruins and a rock garden.

Through the woods by the Mackenzie King Estate, there are trails dedicated to hiking. You can hike all or part of the loop formed by the Lauriault and Waterfall trails. The complete loop is three kilometres and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. Sights include the Bridal Veil Falls at the end of the Waterfall Trail and the Lauriault Trail lookout. These trails are open year-round to hikers.

A visit is not complete without a stop at the famous Tearoom. The Mackenzie King Café and Tearoom is open every day until Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Relax with tea on the main veranda overlooking the lush gardens or get light snacks for a picnic (table service or takeout counter). On Tuesdays the museums are closed, but the grounds and Tearoom remain open to the public. A reduced vehicle access fee is charged on Tuesdays. For more information or reservations, please call 819-827-3405.

There are upcoming special activities Sept. 5-7 for the Labour Day weekend family event, and Sept. 26 to Oct. 18 for the Fall Rhapsody at the Mackenzie King Estate and in Gatineau Park.

In winter, the museums and Tearoom are closed, but the grounds are always open. Some Gatineau Park ski and snowshoe routes pass through the Estate’s grounds.

There is no admission fee for visitors to the Estate. Regular vehicle access fees are charged.

The NCC is proud of its association with the following media partners of the Mackenzie King Estate: the Ottawa Citizen, LeDroit, Rogers Media (105.3 KISS FM, Country 101 FM) and Bell Media (94,4 Rouge fm, NRJ 104,1 FM).

This story was produced by Postmedia Works on behalf of National Capital Commission for commercial purposes. Postmedia’s editorial departments had no involvement in the creation of this content.

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